JP3731393B2

JP3731393B2 - Joint connector

Info

Publication number: JP3731393B2
Application number: JP21279199A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 繁一若田
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-27
Filing date: 1999-07-27
Publication date: 2006-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-27
Also published as: JP2001039239A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ジョイントコネクタに関し、詳しくは、端子相互間の接続を種々の回路接続形態に応じて柔軟に対応すると同時に、電気接続箱の内部回路とも接続可能にするものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、アースライン等の共通の回路系統に使用される各電線を夫々接続するには、ジョイントコネクタが利用される場合がある。図１０は、ジョイントコネクタ１を示し、ジョイントコネクタケース１ａには、接続形態に対応させた接続用バスバー２を挿着する一方、接続する各電線Ｄは端末に端子３を取り付けてコネクタＣに挿入して、このコネクタＣをジョイントコネクタケース１ａに嵌合することで各電線Ｄの接続を行っている。
【０００３】
しかし、上記ジョイントコネクタ１は構成部品点数が多く、接続回路の種類に応じて種々の接続用バスバー２やジョイントコネクタケース１ａを準備する必要があり、また、回路変更等に伴う接続数の増加等にも適応が困難であった。これらの内容に対応して特開平８−３０６４５１号において、図１１（Ａ）に示すジョイントコネクタ１’が開示されている。上記ジョイントコネクタ１’は、コネクタハウジング１ａ’の端子収容室１ｂ’に、図１１（Ｂ）に示す接続用端子３’を挿入して構成されている。
【０００４】
上記コネクタハウジング１ａ’は一体で複数段（図面では４段）の端子収容室１ｂ’を有すると共に、各端子収容室１ｂ’の上下を開口としており、また、コネクタハウジング１ａ’の前面１ｃ’には、夫々端子収容室１ｂ’に合わせて挿入口１ｄ’を設けている。一方、接続用端子３’は上部に第一弾性接触片３ａ’を突出させ、内部には第二弾性接触片３ｂ’有し、下部に接続部３ｃ’を設けている。
【０００５】
上記接続用端子３’のコネクタハウジング１ａ’への収容状態では、下方の接続用端子３’の第一弾性片３ａ’が上方の接続用端子３’の接続部３ｃ’と当接することで、従来の接続用バスバー２を使用することなく上下に位置する接続用端子３’を接続するようにしている。また、コネクタハウジング前面１ｃ’の挿入口１ｄ’よりオス端子４を挿入することで接続用端子３’の第二弾性接触片３ｂ’と接触させて接続し、接続本数の増加等にも対応できるようにしている。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記のようにジョイントコネクタ１’は、従来に較べて接続できる本数を増加させているが、コネクタハウジング１ａ’の端子収容室１ｂ’の数により上記本数も制限を受け、やはり回路形態に応じてある程度の品種に及ぶコネクタハウジング１ａ’を準備しなければならない問題がある。また、上下に位置する接続用端子３’は必ず接続されてしまうため、回路的にこれらの接続が必要でない場合では、上記構成のジョイントコネクタ１’を適用できない問題もある。
【０００７】
また、ワイヤハーネスを組み立てる場合、まず、図１２に示すように、サブハーネス（仮結束ハーネス）Ｋ−１〜３を仮結束するが、その際、他の仮結束ハーネスに接続される電線端末の端子Ｔ−１〜３はコネクタに未挿入の状態となり、所謂、後入れ端子となる。これら仮結束ハーネスは組立図板上において本結束され、其の際に上記後入れ端子が他の仮結束ハーネスのコネクタに挿入される。よって、本結束時に、端子の後入れ工程が必須となるので、組立の効率化を図れない問題がある。また、仮結束ハーネスと本結束のワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈの組立は別の箇所で行われていることがほとんどであるため、上記仮結束ハーネスＫ−１〜３の後入れとなる未挿入の端子Ｔ−１〜３端子が搬送時等に、変形や損傷を受けやすくなり、損傷等受けるとコネクタへの挿入が困難となり端子挿入が確実に行えないおそれもある。
【０００８】
本発明は上記した問題に鑑みてなされたものであり、仮結束ハーネスでの後入れ端子を無くして完結型とすることを第一の課題としている。かつ、コネクタハウジングの品種を削減しても、接続本数の増加や回路変更に対しても柔軟に対応できるようにすることを第二の課題としている。さらに、本発明は、ジョイントコネクタを更に発展させて、内部回路を有する電気接続箱とも接続可能とすることを第三の課題としている。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために、本発明は、コネクタハウジングに水平方向の一段で２〜９個の端子収容室を並設すると共に、各端子収容室の上下壁に開口部を形成する一方、
複数の仮結束ハーネスの電線端末に接続されると共に上下いずれか一方に突出した弾性接触片部を備えた接続用端子を、上記コネクタハウジングの各端子収容室内に挿入係止して、該接続用端子の弾性接触片部を上下いずれかの開口部より突出させ、
各仮結束ハーネスを本結束する時に各仮結束ハーネスに接続された各コネクタハウジング同士を上下複数段に積み重ねて合体させ、上記端子収容室の開口部より突出する弾性接触片部を上下いずれかに隣接するコネクタハウジングの端子収容室内に挿入させて、該端子収容室内に挿入係止されている接続用端子と接触させて、電線同士を接続する構成としているジョイントコネクタを提供している。
【００１０】
上記構成とすると、上記接続用端子を、仮結束ハーネスのうち、少なくとも他の仮結束ハーネスの電線と接続する電線端末に接続しておき、上記コネクタハウジングに挿入係止しているので、本結束時において、他の仮結束ハーネスに接続したコネクタハウジングと上下積層して一体化させた時に、接続用端子を介して仮結束ハーネスの電線同士が接続されることとなる。よって、従来、仮結束ハーネスで後入れ端子となっていたものをコネクタハウジング内に全て収容して完結型の仮結束ハーネスとして、後入れ端子を無くすことができる。なお、上記コネクタハウジングの両壁面にロック係止部およびロック爪を設け、各仮結束ハーネスを本結束する時に上記コネクタハウジングを上下に積層して上記ロック係止部とロック爪とで互いを係止して一体化させる構成としていると好ましい。
【００１１】
また、回路形態に合わせてコネクタハウジングを所要数を重ね合わせ一体にしてジョイントコネクタを形成することで、接続数の増加や回路変更等に対して柔軟に対応することができる。例えば、接続数を増加させたい場合には、一段のコネクタハウジングの数を増加させることで対応でき、また、回路変更等には、各コネクタハウジングの組合せや個数を変更することで容易に対応できる。
【００１２】
上記コネクタハウジングは、一段に所要数の端子収容室を設けたもの、例えば、一段に端子収容室を２個から９個有する８種類のコネクタハウジング揃えるだけで、後は上記８種類のコネクタハウジングを所要数重ね合わせて組み合わせるだけで幾通りものジョイントコネクタを形成できるので、部品の共用化を図ることができ、品種を削減できる。また、コネクタハウジングは、端子収容室の上下壁に開口部を設けると共に弾性接触片部を有する接続用端子を挿入し、これらコネクタハウジングを重ね合わせるだけで、上記開口部を通じて弾性接触片部により上下の接続用端子を容易かつ確実に接続でき、接続の信頼性も確保できる。なお、積み重ねたコネクタハウジングの上下面の開口部は使用状況等に応じて適宜カバー等を取り付てもよい。
【００１３】
また、上記コネクタハウジングを上下に積層して合体した状態で、他の電気接続箱と嵌合し、該電気接続箱に収容したバスバーあるいは絶縁板を、上記上下のコネクタハウジングの間に挿入して、上下の接続用端子の弾性接触箇所の間に押し込んで、バスバーを上下接続用端子と接続し、あるいは、上記絶縁板で上下接続用端子の接続を遮断できる構成とするのが好ましい。
【００１４】
このように、上下に積層したバスバーからなる内部回路を有する電気接続箱にコネクタを設けて、このコネクタを介して上記ジョイントコネクタを接続嵌合することで、コネクタハウジング内の上下接続用端子の接続により、電気接続箱内部の上下層のバスバーも接続できる。また、絶縁板を接続用端子の上下接触箇所に押し込むことで、上下の接触を遮断することもでき、回路形態に応じて接続、非接続を適宜選択できる。
【００１５】
具体的には、上記接続用端子は、電気接触側の先端に、基板部より上方に突出した後に上端より下向きに屈曲した巻きバネ形状の上記弾性接触片部を備え、該弾性接触片部を上段のコネクタハウジングの下壁の開口部より該上段の端子収容室に突出させ、該上段の端子収容室内に挿入係止されている接続用端子の基板部に接触させる形状としている。このように、接続用端子に巻きバネ形状の弾性接触片部を設けることで、適切な接触応力で上下の接続用端子を接続することができる。また、上記接続箇所にオス端子やバスバーのタブ等の接続片を更に接続する場合も、上記巻きバネ形状の弾性接触片部がスムーズに変形して無理なく、下方の接続用端子、接続片及び上方の接続用端子の３部材を接続できる。
【００１６】
また、上記接続用端子は、電気接触側をメス状のボックスとし、該ボックスの上板部に上方へ突出させたバネ片からなる上記弾性接触片部を設け、かつ、ボックスの下板部から先端側に突出させた片部をボックス内部に折り返してバネ接触片とし、上記弾性接触片部を上段のコネクタハウジングの下壁の開口部より該上段の端子収容室に突出させ、該上段の端子収容室内に挿入係止されている接続用端子の基板部に接触させる形状としてもよい。
【００１７】
上記形状とした接続用端子では、上部のバネ片からなる弾性接触片部により上下の接続用端子の接続を行えると共に、ボックス形状内部のバネ接触片により、水平方向からのオス端子の挿入接続が可能となり、一つの接続用端子に上下方向と水平方向との二方向の接続ができ、より広く種々の回路形態に対応できる。
【００１８】
よって、上記接続用端子を収容するコネクタハウジングの各端子収容室の先端壁に端子穴を設け、これらコネクタハウジングを上下に積層して合体した状態で、他の電気接続箱と嵌合し、該電気接続箱に収容したバスバーのタブを上記端子穴から挿入して接続用端子と接続できる一方、上下のコネクタハウジングの間に絶縁板を挿入して、上下の接続用端子の弾性接触箇所の間に押し込んで、上下接続用端子の接続を遮断することもできる。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面を参照して説明する。
図１（Ａ）（Ｂ）は、本発明の第一実施形態のジョイントコネクタ１０を示し、水平方向に並設した一段の端子収容室１０ｂに接続用端子１３を挿入係止したコネクタハウジング１０ａ（１０ａ−１、１０ａ−２、１０ａ−３）を三段に重ね合わせて形成している。これら各コネクタハウジング１０ａはそれぞれ仮結束ハーネスＫＨ−１〜３に予め接続され、本結束時に上記のように三段に積層して一体化される。
【００２０】
上記接続用端子１３は、図２に示すように、先端となる電気接触側にメス状のボックス１３ｄを形成しており、電気接触側の先端面は開口として挿入口１３ｉを設けている。ボックス１３ｄの上面には、二重の上板部１３ｊの上側の板を引き起こして上方へ突出させてバネ片を形成して弾性接触片部１３ａを形成している。また、ボックス１３ｄの下板部１３ｋは先端側に突出させたバネ片をボックス１３ｄの内部に折り返してバネ接触片１３ｂを設けている。さらに、ボックス１３ｄの左右の側壁には係止用のランス１３ｅを設けると共に、下板の基板部１３ｃより電線との取付側へ連続する基板１３ｆに芯線バレル１３ｇと被覆バレル１３ｈを突設させて、電線Ｄを取り付けるようにしている。
【００２１】
図３は、コネクタハウジング１０ａを示しており、樹脂等の絶縁物質により水平方向で一段に４つの端子収容室１０ｂを並設して形成されている。これら端子収容室１０ｂの上壁には、ほぼ全域にわたり上部開口部１０ｊを設けていると共に、底部となる下壁にも上記接続用端子１３を挿入係止した際にボックス１３ｄの下面の基板部１３ｃと対向する箇所に下部開口部１０ｈを設けている。また、端子収容室１０ｂの両側壁には、ランス１３ｅ係止用の凹部１０ｉを設けている。さらにコネクタハウジング１０ａの接触側となる前面１０ｃには、上記端子収容室１０ｂの位置に対応させて上下２段にわたり上端子穴１０ｄ及び下端子穴１０ｅを設けている。また、コネクタハウジング１０ａの外側の両壁面の上部及び下部には、重ね合わせ時の係止用にロック係止部１０ｇ及びロック爪１０ｆも設けている。
【００２２】
上記接続用端子１３は仮結束ハーネスの電線群のうち、少なくとも他の仮結束ハーネスの電線と接続する電線の先端に取り付けられ、仮結束工程において、コネクタハウジング１０ａの各端子収容室１０ｂに挿入される。其の際、ランス１３ｅを凹部１０ｉに係止して、接続用端子１３が抜けないように取り付けている。このようにして、本実施形態では、図４に示すように、三本の仮結束ハーネスＫＨ−１〜３を組み立てており、接続用端子１３−１〜３は全てコネクタハウジング１０ａ−１〜３に収容されている。
【００２３】
上記のようにして後入れ端子を無くして完結型とした仮結束ハーネスＫＨ−１〜３は、組立図板上で集束されて本結束されている。この本結束時では、各仮結束ハーネスＫＨ−１〜３各のコネクタハウジング１０ａ−１〜３は、図１（Ａ）、図４に示すように３段に積み重ねられて、ロック爪１０ｆ−１〜３とロック係止部１０ｇ−１〜３により夫々ロック結合して合体させることでジョイントコネクタ１０が形成されて、本結束のワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈが組み立てられている。このように本結束時には、後入れの接続用端子が存在しないので、コネクタハウジング１０ａ−１〜３を積み重ねるだけで本結束のワイヤハーネスを効率良く組立てることができる。なお、最上段のコネクタハウジング１０ａ−３の上部の開口部１０ｊー３を覆うために上部カバー１５も取り付けている。
【００２４】
上記のようにコネクタハウジング１０ａ−１〜３が合体すると、図１（Ｂ）に示すように、上下の接続用端子１３−１〜３は弾性接触片部１３ａ−１〜３により接触する。即ち、下段に位置するコネクタハウジング１０ａ−１の接続用端子１３−１のボックス１３ｄ−１より上方に突出する弾性接触片部１３ａ−１が中段のコネクタハウジング１０ａ−２の下部開口部１０ｈ−２を通って端子収容室１０ｂ−２に突出して、接続用端子１３−２の基板部１３ｃ−２に接触している。この接触により下段と中段の接続用端子１３−１と１３−２が接続され、各電線同士を結ぶ回路が形成されている。また、上記同様に中段と上段の接続用端子１３−２と１３−３も接続されている。なお、上記弾性接触片部１３ａ−１〜３は、接触時には、適宜撓んで変形し所要接触面積および接触圧力を有するようにしている。
【００２５】
また、上記ジョイントコネクタ１０は一段に４つの端子収容室１０ｂを有するコネクタハウジング１０ａ−１〜３を三段重ね合わせて形成しているが、接続数を更に増加させる必要が生じた場合には、コネクタハウジング１０ａの重ね合わせ数を増加させることで容易に対応している。また、回路変更に伴う接続数の増減にもコネクタハウジング１０ａの重ね合わせ数を増減することで対応している。さらに、コネクタハウジング１０ａの一段に設ける端子収容室１０ａの数も２から９個のように適宜複数個設け、これらを組み合わせることで様々な接続形態に適応できるようにしている。よって、コネクタハウジング１０ａの品種は２から９個の端子収容室１０ｂを設けた場合では８種類だけで済み、品種が削減されて、コストの低減が図られている。
【００２６】
さらに、上記ジョイントコネクタ１０は、図１（Ｂ）に示すように、バスバー１６と絶縁板１７を積層して形成した内部回路を収容している電気接続箱１８にも接続できる。電気接続箱１８は、ジョイントコネクタ１０との接続用にコネクタ１８ａを外部に突設しており、このコネクタ１８の内部に各バスバー１６の端部に設けたタブ１６ａを突出させていると共に、下方の絶縁板１７の端部より延出する絶縁タブ１７ａも突出させている。
【００２７】
上記コネクタ１８にジョイントコネクタ１０を接続嵌合すると、図５（Ａ）に示すように、各タブ１６ａは各コネクタハウジング１０ａ−１〜３の前面１０ｃ−１〜３の上端子穴１０ｄ−１〜３に挿入され、また、絶縁タブ１７ａは下端子穴１０ｅ−２に挿入されている。挿入された各タブ１６ａは、接続用端子１３−１〜３のボックス１３ｄ−１〜３の内部に位置する各バネ接触片１３ｂ−１〜３と接触し、このバネ接触片１３ｂ−１〜３が適度に撓んで変形することで、タブ１６ａと所要の接触面積と接触圧力を確保した状態で接続している。
【００２８】
一方、絶縁タブ１７ａは、下端子穴１０ｅ−２を通じてコネクタハウジング１０ａ−１と１０ａ−２との間に挿入されて、下方に位置する接続用端子１３−１の弾性接触片部１３ａ−１と上方の接続用端子１３−２の基板部１３ｃ−２との接触箇所に押し込まれ、接続用端子１３−１と１３−２の接続を遮断している。
【００２９】
このようにして、電気接続箱１８の上段のバスバー１６と中段のバスバー１６はジョイントコネクタ１０の接続用端子１３−２と１３−３を介して接続されており、下段のバスバー１６は、絶縁タブ１７ａにより上方のバスバーと接続されることなく、接続用端子１３−１を介して電線Ｄ−１と接続されている。上記した電気接続箱１８とジョイントコネクタ１０との接続は一例であり、他にも種々の接続を行うことができる。
【００３０】
例えば、絶縁タブを挿入することなしに全ての層のバスバーを接続するようにしてもよく、また、上記の例で絶縁タブ１７ａを挿入している下端子穴１０ｅ−１〜３にもバスバー１６のタブ１６ａを挿入して高密度に積層された上下層のバスバーを接続するようにしてもよい。また、ジョイントコネクタ１０の同じ段に並ぶ各接続用端子１３−２等を接続する場合には、図５（Ｂ）に示すように、バスバー１６に連結部１６ｂを設けてタブ１６ａを各接続用端子１３−２に挿入して対応している。なお、上記ジョイントコネクタ１０は従来の電線の端末に取り付けられたオス端子とも接続可能で、いわゆるワイヤー・トゥー・ワイヤーで用いらるコネクタ同士での接続にも適用可能である。この際も、適宜、絶縁タブを挿入することで所要の接続回路を形成するようにしてもよい。
【００３１】
また、上記接続用端子１３−１〜３は上方に弾性接触片部１３ａ−１〜３を突出させて上方に位置する接続用端子１３−２等と接続しているが、弾性接触片部を上方ではなく下方に突出させてコネクタハウジング１０ａの上部開口部１０ｊを通して下方の接続用端子１３−１等と接続するようにしてもよい。さらに、上下両方に弾性接触片部と突出させて上下に位置する接続用端子１３−２等と接続するようにしてもよい。
【００３２】
図６は本発明の第二実施形態のジョイントコネクタ５０を示し、水平方向に一段で端子収容室５０ｂ−１〜３を並設させたコネクタハウジング５０ａ−１〜３に接続用端子５３−１〜３を挿入係止し、これらコネクタハウジング５０を積み重ねて形成されている。
【００３３】
図７に示す上記接続用端子５３は、電気接触側となる先端に基板部５３ｃより上方にバネ片を突出してから上端より下方に屈曲した巻きバネ形状の弾性接触片部５３ａを設けており、また、基板部５３ｃの両側の側辺から側壁５３ｄを立設している。ランス５３ｅ、芯線バレル５３ｇ、被覆バレル５３ｈ等は第一実施形態の接続用端子１３と同様に設けている。
【００３４】
一方、図８に示すコネクタハウジング５０ａは前面５０ｃに端子収容室５０ｂと対向する箇所に二段でない一段の端子穴５０ｄを設けると共に、この端子穴５０ｄと下壁の下部開口部５０ｈを連続させて形成している。他の箇所は第一実施形態と略同等に形成している。
【００３５】
上記接続用端子５３は、第一実施形態同様に仮結束ハーネス組立時に、コネクタハウジング５０ａの各端子収容室１０ｂに挿入係止されて、後入れ端子を無くすようにしている。図６に示すように、これら接続用端子５３−１〜３を備えるコネクタハウジング５０ａ−１〜３は、本結束時に上下複数段に重ね合わせられジョイントコネクタ５０を形成している。上記重ね合わせにより、下段の接続用端子５３−１の弾性接触片部５３ａ−１は中段の下部開口部５０ｈ−２より中段の端子収容室５０ｂ−２に突出して接続用端子５３−２の基板部５３ｃ−２と接触し、この接触により上下の接続用端子５３−１と５３−２は接続されている。上記同様に接続用端子５３−２と５３−３も接続されている。また、上記接触の際、弾性接触片部５３ａ−１等は巻きバネ形状であるため、下方にスムーズに撓んで適切な接触状態を保っている。
【００３６】
上記ジョイントコネクタ５０も、回路変更等に対応してコネクタハウジング５０ａの重ね合わせ数を増減して対応している。また、コネクタハウジング５０ａ−１等も一段に所要数の端子収容室５０ｂ−１等を適宜有するものを揃え、後はこれらを適宜組み合わせることで種々の回路形態に対応するようにして、コネクタハウジング５０ａの品種を従来に較べ削減して、コストの低減を図っている。
【００３７】
また、上記ジョイントコネクタ５０も第一実施形態と同様に、電気接続箱、コネクタ、オス端子等とも前面５０ｃ−１等の端子穴５０ｄ−１等より接続できるようにしている。一例として、図９（Ａ）（Ｂ）はコネクタ５８とジョイントコネクタ５０との接続状況を示しており、電線Ｄに接続されたオス端子５６を有するコネクタ５８をジョイントコネクタ５０と嵌合している。この嵌合により、オス端子５６先端のタブ５６ａは端子穴５０ｄ−２、３を通してコネクタハウジング５０ａ−１〜３の夫々間に挿入され、弾性接触片部５３ａ−１、２と基板部５３ｃ−２、３との接触箇所の間に押し込まれてオス端子５６及び上下の接続用端子５３−１〜３の三部材を接続している。
【００３８】
また、ジョイントコネクタ５０の上下の接続用端子５３の接続を遮断する場合は、上記オス端子５６の代わりに絶縁板を挿入することで接続を遮断できる。さらに、上下に接続を遮断すると共に上下いずれか一方の接続用端子５３−２等と接続する場合は、図９（Ｃ）に示すように、上部のオス端子のタブ５６ａ’下部に絶縁板の絶縁タブ５７ａ’を合わせて端子穴５０ｄ−２に挿入し、絶縁タブ５７ａ’で上下の接続を遮断すると共に、タブ５６ａ’を上方の基板部５３ｃ−２と接触させて接続している。
【００３９】
このように、第二実施形態のジョイントコネクタ５０を用いると、仮結束時に後入れ端子を無くすことができると共に、種々の回路形態に適合可能であり、接続数の増加等にも容易に対応できるようにしている。なお、上述した以外は、第一実施形態と同様である。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
上記した説明より明らかなように、本発明は、仮結束ハーネスの組立時に、少なくとも従来後入れ端子となっていた電線に接続用端子を接続して、コネクタハウジングに挿入しておくと、本結束時にコネクタハウジングを結合することで、他の仮結束ハーネスの電線と接続用端子を介して接続することができ、よって、仮結束ハーネスに生じていた後入れ端子を無くすことができる。よって、従来端子の後入れに要していた手間と時間を削減でき、効率的なワイヤハーネスの組立を行える。さらに、搬送等による端子の損傷も同時に無くすことができ、ワイヤハーネスの端子にかかる品質及び信頼性も向上できる。
【００４１】
また、端子収容室を一段としたコネクタハウジングを適宜重ね合わせることで、回路形態に適応したジョイントコネクタを形成できる。このように、基本となる一段のコネクタハウジングを揃えるだけで、多種の回路を構成するジョイントコネクタを形成できるので、ジョイントコネクタの品種を削減でき、削減に伴いコストダウンも図れる。また、積層された各層の接続用端子の接続は接続用端子が有する弾性接触片部で行うため接続状態の信頼性を高めることができる。
【００４２】
さらに、形成されたジョイントコネクタは、従来のオス端子およびコネクタとの接続に加えて電気接続箱とも接続することが可能であり、積層構造の内部回路と接続して異層間の接続を行うこともできる。また、絶縁板を上記ジョイントコネクタに挿入して、上下に位置する接続用端子の接続を遮断することもでき、種々の回路形態における接続状況にも対応できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第一実施形態にかかるジョイントコネクタであり（Ａ）は斜視図、（Ｂ）は断面図である。
【図２】第一実施形態の接続用端子の斜視図である。
【図３】第一実施形態のコネクタハウジングの斜視図である。
【図４】仮結束ハーネスと本結束のワイヤハーネスの組立を示す概略図である。
【図５】接続用端子の接続状態であり、（Ａ）は電気接続箱との接続時の断面図、（Ｂ）は並設する接続用端子の接続を示す要部斜視図である。
【図６】本発明の第二実施形態にかかるジョイントコネクタの断面図である。
【図７】第二実施形態の接続用端子の斜視図である。
【図８】第二実施形態のコネクタハウジングの斜視図である。
【図９】第二実施形態のジョイントコネクタの接続状況であり、（Ａ）は接続前の断面図、（Ｂ）は接続状態の断面図、（Ｃ）は接続の遮断と接続用端子への接続を行う場合の要部拡大断面図である。
【図１０】従来のジョイントコネクタの斜視図である。
【図１１】別の従来のジョイントコネクタであり、（Ａ）は断面図、（Ｂ）はジョイントコネクタに用いられる端子の斜視図である。
【図１２】従来の仮結束ハーネスと本結束のワイヤハーネスの組立を示す概略図である。
【符号の説明】
１０、５０ジョイントコネクタ
１０ａ、５０ａコネクタハウジング
１０ｂ、５０ｂ端子収容室
１３、５３接続用端子
１３ａ、５３ａ弾性接触片部
１３ｃ、５３ｃ基板部
１６タブ
１７絶縁板
１８電気接続箱
５６オス端子
５８コネクタ
Ｄ電線[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a joint connector. More specifically, the present invention flexibly supports connection between terminals according to various circuit connection forms, and at the same time, enables connection to an internal circuit of an electric connection box.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a joint connector may be used to connect each electric wire used in a common circuit system such as an earth line. FIG. 10 shows the joint connector 1, and the connection bus bar 2 corresponding to the connection form is inserted into the joint connector case 1a, while each electric wire D to be connected is inserted into the connector C with the terminal 3 attached to the terminal. And each electric wire D is connected by fitting this connector C to the joint connector case 1a.
[0003]
However, the joint connector 1 has a large number of components, and it is necessary to prepare various connection bus bars 2 and joint connector cases 1a according to the type of connection circuit. It was difficult to adapt. Corresponding to these contents, JP-A-8-306451 discloses a joint connector 1 'shown in FIG. The joint connector 1 ′ is configured by inserting a connection terminal 3 ′ shown in FIG. 11B into a terminal accommodating chamber 1 b ′ of the connector housing 1 a ′.
[0004]
The connector housing 1a ′ has a terminal housing chamber 1b ′ that is integrated into a plurality of stages (four stages in the drawing), and has an opening at the top and bottom of each terminal housing chamber 1b ′. Are provided with an insertion port 1d ′ in accordance with the terminal accommodating chamber 1b ′. On the other hand, the connection terminal 3 ′ has a first elastic contact piece 3 a ′ protruding at the top, a second elastic contact piece 3 b ′ inside, and a connection portion 3 c ′ provided at the bottom.
[0005]
In the accommodated state of the connection terminal 3 ′ in the connector housing 1a ′, the first elastic piece 3a ′ of the lower connection terminal 3 ′ comes into contact with the connection portion 3c ′ of the upper connection terminal 3 ′. The connection terminals 3 ′ positioned above and below are connected without using the conventional connection bus bar 2. Further, by inserting the male terminal 4 from the insertion port 1d ′ of the connector housing front surface 1c ′, the male terminal 4 is brought into contact with and connected to the second elastic contact piece 3b ′ of the connection terminal 3 ′, which can cope with an increase in the number of connections. I am doing so.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the number of joint connectors 1 ′ that can be connected is increased as compared with the conventional case, but the number is also limited by the number of terminal accommodating chambers 1b ′ of the connector housing 1a ′. There is a problem that it is necessary to prepare connector housings 1a ′ covering a certain variety. Further, since the connection terminals 3 ′ positioned above and below are always connected, there is a problem that the joint connector 1 ′ having the above configuration cannot be applied when these connections are not necessary in terms of the circuit.
[0007]
When the wire harness is assembled, first, as shown in FIG. 12, the sub-harnesses (temporary binding harnesses) K-1 to K-3 are temporarily bound, but at that time, the electric wire terminals connected to other temporary binding harnesses Terminals T-1 to T-3 are not inserted into the connector, and are so-called post-insertion terminals. These temporary binding harnesses are finally bound on the assembly drawing board, and at that time, the post-insertion terminal is inserted into a connector of another temporary binding harness. Therefore, since the terminal insertion process is essential at the time of this binding, there is a problem that the efficiency of assembly cannot be achieved. Further, since the assembly of the temporary binding harness and the wire harness W / H of the main binding is mostly performed at different locations, the uninserted terminals to be inserted after the temporary binding harnesses K-1 to K-3. The T-1 to 3 terminals are likely to be deformed or damaged during transportation or the like. If the T-1 to 3 terminals are damaged, it is difficult to insert the terminals into the connector.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a first problem is to eliminate the post-insertion terminal in the temporary bundling harness to be a complete type. And even if it reduces the kind of connector housing, it makes it the 2nd subject to make it possible to respond flexibly to the increase in the number of connections and circuit changes. Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to further develop the joint connector so that it can be connected to an electrical junction box having an internal circuit.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a connector housing in a horizontal direction.ofOne step2 to 9Terminal storage roomSide by sideAlong with forming an opening in the upper and lower walls of each terminal storage chamber,
  Of multiple temporary binding harnessesAn elastic contact piece portion of the connection terminal is inserted and locked in each terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing, and connected to the electric wire terminal and provided with an elastic contact piece portion projecting upward or downward. Project from the top or bottom opening,
  Each temporary binding harness connected to each temporary binding harnessConnector housingMutualThe elastic contact piece protruding from the opening of the terminal accommodating chamber is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing adjacent to either the upper or lower, and inserted and locked in the terminal accommodating chamber. A joint connector configured to connect electric wires by contacting with a connecting terminal is provided.
[0010]
  With the above configurationThe connection terminal is connected to an electric wire terminal connected to at least another electric wire of the temporary binding harness among the temporary binding harnesses, and is inserted and locked into the connector housing.BecauseAt the time of this binding, when the connector housing connected to another temporary binding harness is vertically stacked and integrated, the wires of the temporary binding harness are connected to each other through the connection terminals. Therefore, all of the temporary binding harness that has been used as a post-insertion terminal can be accommodated in the connector housing so that the post-insertion terminal can be eliminated as a complete temporary binding harness.In addition, lock locking portions and lock claws are provided on both wall surfaces of the connector housing, and when the temporary binding harnesses are permanently bound, the connector housings are stacked vertically and the lock locking portions and the lock claws engage each other. It is preferable that the structure is integrated by stopping.
[0011]
Further, by forming a joint connector by superimposing a required number of connector housings according to the circuit form to form a joint connector, it is possible to flexibly cope with an increase in the number of connections, circuit changes, and the like. For example, if you want to increase the number of connections, you can respond by increasing the number of connector housings in one stage, and you can easily respond to circuit changes etc. by changing the combination and number of connector housings. .
[0012]
The connector housings are provided with a required number of terminal housing chambers in one stage, for example, only eight types of connector housings having two to nine terminal housing chambers in a single row, and then the above eight types of connector housings are arranged. Since it is possible to form several types of joint connectors simply by overlapping the required number, the parts can be shared and the number of products can be reduced. In addition, the connector housing is provided with openings on the upper and lower walls of the terminal accommodating chamber, inserts connection terminals having elastic contact pieces, and superimposes these connector housings by the elastic contact pieces through the openings. The connection terminals can be easily and reliably connected, and connection reliability can be secured. In addition, you may attach a cover etc. suitably for the opening part of the upper and lower surfaces of the stacked connector housing according to a use condition.
[0013]
In addition, in a state where the connector housings are stacked and united vertically, they are fitted with other electrical connection boxes, and a bus bar or an insulating plate accommodated in the electrical connection box is inserted between the upper and lower connector housings. Preferably, the bus bar is connected to the upper and lower connection terminals by being pushed between the elastic contact portions of the upper and lower connection terminals, or the connection of the upper and lower connection terminals can be interrupted by the insulating plate.
[0014]
Thus, by providing a connector in an electrical connection box having an internal circuit made up of upper and lower bus bars, and connecting and fitting the joint connector through this connector, connection of the upper and lower connection terminals in the connector housing is achieved. Thus, the upper and lower bus bars inside the electrical junction box can be connected. Further, by pushing the insulating plate into the upper and lower contact portions of the connection terminal, the upper and lower contacts can be cut off, and connection or non-connection can be appropriately selected according to the circuit form.
[0015]
Specifically, the connection terminal includes the elastic contact piece portion having a wound spring shape that protrudes upward from the substrate portion and then bends downward from the upper end at the tip of the electrical contact side. The upper connector housing protrudes from the opening in the lower wall of the upper connector housing into the upper terminal housing chamber, and is brought into contact with the connection terminal board portion inserted and locked in the upper terminal housing chamber. In this way, by providing the spring contact-shaped elastic contact piece on the connection terminal, the upper and lower connection terminals can be connected with an appropriate contact stress. Further, even when connecting a connection piece such as a male terminal or a bus bar tab to the connection location, the elastic contact piece portion of the wound spring shape is smoothly deformed, and the lower connection terminal, connection piece and Three members of the upper connection terminal can be connected.
[0016]
Further, the connection terminal has a female-shaped box on the electrical contact side, and is provided with the elastic contact piece portion formed of a spring piece protruding upward on the upper plate portion of the box, and from the lower plate portion of the box. A piece protruding to the front end side is folded back into the box to form a spring contact piece, and the elastic contact piece is projected from the opening of the lower wall of the upper connector housing to the upper terminal receiving chamber, and the upper terminal It is good also as a shape made to contact the board | substrate part of the terminal for a connection inserted and latched in the storage chamber.
[0017]
In the connection terminal having the above shape, the upper and lower connection terminals can be connected by the elastic contact piece portion made of the upper spring piece, and the male terminal can be inserted and connected from the horizontal direction by the spring contact piece inside the box shape. It is possible to connect to one connection terminal in two directions, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and it is possible to deal with a wider variety of circuit forms.
[0018]
Therefore, a terminal hole is provided in the distal end wall of each terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing that accommodates the connection terminal, and the connector housings are combined with other electrical connection boxes in a state where the connector housings are stacked and joined together, The bus bar tab housed in the electrical connection box can be inserted through the terminal hole and connected to the connection terminal, while an insulating plate is inserted between the upper and lower connector housings, and between the elastic contact points of the upper and lower connection terminals. It is also possible to cut the connection of the upper and lower connection terminals by pushing it in.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1A and 1B show a joint connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a connector housing 10a (with a connection terminal 13 inserted and locked in a single-stage terminal accommodating chamber 10b arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. 10a-1, 10a-2, 10a-3) are stacked in three stages. Each of these connector housings 10a is connected in advance to the temporary binding harnesses KH-1 to KH-3, and is laminated and integrated in three stages as described above at the time of final binding.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting terminal 13 is formed with a female box 13d on the electrical contact side that is the tip, and the distal end surface on the electrical contact side is provided with an insertion port 13i as an opening. An elastic contact piece 13a is formed on the upper surface of the box 13d by causing the upper plate of the double upper plate portion 13j to protrude upward and forming a spring piece. Further, the lower plate portion 13k of the box 13d is provided with a spring contact piece 13b by folding a spring piece protruding toward the tip side into the box 13d. Further, a locking lance 13e is provided on the left and right side walls of the box 13d, and a core barrel 13g and a covering barrel 13h are projected from a base plate 13f continuous from the base plate portion 13c to the electric wire attachment side. The electric wire D is attached.
[0021]
FIG. 3 shows a connector housing 10a, which is formed by arranging four terminal accommodating chambers 10b in parallel in a horizontal direction by an insulating material such as resin. The upper walls of these terminal accommodating chambers 10b are provided with an upper opening 10j over almost the entire area, and when the connection terminal 13 is inserted into and locked to the lower wall as the bottom, the board portion on the lower surface of the box 13d. A lower opening 10h is provided at a location facing 13c. Moreover, the recessed part 10i for latching the lance 13e is provided in the both side walls of the terminal accommodating chamber 10b. Furthermore, an upper terminal hole 10d and a lower terminal hole 10e are provided on the front surface 10c on the contact side of the connector housing 10a so as to correspond to the position of the terminal accommodating chamber 10b over two stages. In addition, a lock locking portion 10g and a lock claw 10f are also provided on the upper and lower portions of both outer wall surfaces of the connector housing 10a for locking at the time of overlapping.
[0022]
The connection terminal 13 is attached to at least a tip of an electric wire connected to at least another electric wire of the temporary binding harness among the electric wire group of the temporary binding harness, and is inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber 10b of the connector housing 10a in the temporary binding process. The At that time, the lance 13e is locked to the recess 10i so that the connection terminal 13 is not pulled out. Thus, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the three temporary binding harnesses KH-1 to KH-3 are assembled, and the connection terminals 13-1 to 13-3 are all connector housings 10a-1 to 10a-1. Is housed in.
[0023]
As described above, the temporary binding harnesses KH-1 to KH-3, which are completed by eliminating the last insertion terminal, are converged on the assembly drawing board. At the time of this binding, the connector housings 10a-1 to 10a-3 to the temporary binding harnesses KH-1 to 3 are stacked in three stages as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. -3 and the lock latching portions 10g-1 to 3 are respectively locked and combined to form the joint connector 10, and the wire harness W / H of this binding is assembled. As described above, since there is no connection terminal for later insertion during the main binding, the wire harness of the main binding can be efficiently assembled only by stacking the connector housings 10a-1 to 10a-3. An upper cover 15 is also attached to cover the upper opening 10j-3 of the uppermost connector housing 10a-3.
[0024]
When the connector housings 10a-1 to 10a-3 are combined as described above, the upper and lower connection terminals 13-1 to 13-3 are brought into contact with the elastic contact pieces 13a-1 to 13a-3 as shown in FIG. That is, the elastic contact piece 13a-1 projecting upward from the box 13d-1 of the connection terminal 13-1 of the connector housing 10a-1 positioned at the lower stage is the lower opening 10h-2 of the middle stage connector housing 10a-2. The terminal protrudes into the terminal accommodating chamber 10b-2 and is in contact with the board portion 13c-2 of the connection terminal 13-2. By this contact, the lower and middle connection terminals 13-1 and 13-2 are connected to form a circuit connecting the electric wires. Similarly to the above, the middle and upper connection terminals 13-2 and 13-3 are also connected. The elastic contact piece portions 13a-1 to 13a-1 to 3b are appropriately bent and deformed at the time of contact so as to have a required contact area and contact pressure.
[0025]
In addition, the joint connector 10 is formed by stacking three stages of connector housings 10a-1 to 3 having four terminal accommodating chambers 10b in one stage, but if it is necessary to further increase the number of connections, This can be easily handled by increasing the number of overlapping connector housings 10a. Moreover, the increase / decrease in the number of connections accompanying a circuit change respond | corresponds by increasing / decreasing the number of overlapping of the connector housing 10a. Further, the number of terminal accommodating chambers 10a provided in one stage of the connector housing 10a is appropriately provided as 2 to 9, and these can be combined to adapt to various connection forms. Therefore, if the connector housing 10a is provided with 2 to 9 terminal accommodating chambers 10b, only 8 types are required, the types are reduced, and the cost is reduced.
[0026]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1B, the joint connector 10 can also be connected to an electrical connection box 18 that houses an internal circuit formed by laminating a bus bar 16 and an insulating plate 17. The electrical connection box 18 has a connector 18a projecting outside for connection with the joint connector 10, and a tab 16a provided at the end of each bus bar 16 is projected into the connector 18 and is An insulating tab 17a extending from the end of the insulating plate 17 is also projected.
[0027]
When the joint connector 10 is connected and fitted to the connector 18, as shown in FIG. 5A, the tabs 16a are connected to the upper terminal holes 10d-1 to 10d-1 of the front surfaces 10c-1 to 10c-3 of the connector housings 10a-1 to 10a-3. 3 and the insulating tab 17a is inserted into the lower terminal hole 10e-2. The inserted tabs 16a are in contact with the spring contact pieces 13b-1 to 13b-3 located inside the boxes 13d-1 to 13d of the connection terminals 13-1 to 13-3, and the spring contact pieces 13b-1 to 13b-1 to 13b-1. By appropriately bending and deforming, the tab 16a is connected with a required contact area and contact pressure secured.
[0028]
On the other hand, the insulating tab 17a is inserted between the connector housings 10a-1 and 10a-2 through the lower terminal hole 10e-2, and the elastic contact piece 13a-1 of the connecting terminal 13-1 positioned below the insulating tab 17a. The upper connection terminal 13-2 is pushed into the contact portion with the substrate portion 13c-2, and the connection between the connection terminals 13-1 and 13-2 is cut off.
[0029]
In this way, the upper bus bar 16 and the middle bus bar 16 of the electrical connection box 18 are connected via the connection terminals 13-2 and 13-3 of the joint connector 10, and the lower bus bar 16 is connected to the insulation tab. It is connected with the electric wire D-1 via the connection terminal 13-1 without being connected to the upper bus bar by 17a. The connection between the electrical junction box 18 and the joint connector 10 is an example, and various other connections can be made.
[0030]
For example, the bus bars of all layers may be connected without inserting the insulating tabs, and the bus bars 16 are also inserted into the lower terminal holes 10e-1 to 10e-3 into which the insulating tabs 17a are inserted in the above example. Alternatively, the upper and lower bus bars stacked at a high density may be connected by inserting the tab 16a. Further, when connecting the connection terminals 13-2 and the like arranged in the same stage of the joint connector 10, as shown in FIG. 5B, a connecting portion 16b is provided on the bus bar 16 and the tab 16a is connected to each connection. It corresponds by being inserted into the terminal 13-2. The joint connector 10 can be connected to a male terminal attached to a terminal of a conventional electric wire, and can be applied to a connection between connectors used in so-called wire-to-wire. Also in this case, a necessary connection circuit may be formed by inserting an insulating tab as appropriate.
[0031]
The connection terminals 13-1 to 13-3 are connected to the connection terminals 13-2 and the like located above by protruding the elastic contact pieces 13a-1 to 13a-3 upward. Instead of projecting upward, it may be projected downward and connected to the lower connection terminal 13-1 or the like through the upper opening 10j of the connector housing 10a. Further, the elastic contact piece part may protrude from both the upper and lower sides, and may be connected to the connecting terminal 13-2 and the like positioned above and below.
[0032]
FIG. 6 shows a joint connector 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which connection terminals 53-1 to 53-1 are connected to connector housings 50 a-1 to 50. 3 is inserted and locked, and these connector housings 50 are stacked.
[0033]
The connection terminal 53 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a spring-spring-shaped elastic contact piece 53a that protrudes above the board portion 53c and then bends downward from the upper end at the tip on the electrical contact side, Further, side walls 53d are erected from both sides of the substrate portion 53c. The lance 53e, the core wire barrel 53g, the covering barrel 53h, and the like are provided in the same manner as the connection terminal 13 of the first embodiment.
[0034]
On the other hand, the connector housing 50a shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a non-two-stage terminal hole 50d on the front face 50c opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber 50b, and the terminal hole 50d and the lower opening 50h on the lower wall are made continuous. Forming. Other portions are formed substantially the same as in the first embodiment.
[0035]
As in the first embodiment, the connection terminal 53 is inserted and locked in each terminal accommodating chamber 10b of the connector housing 50a during assembly of the temporary binding harness so as to eliminate the later insertion terminal. As shown in FIG. 6, the connector housings 50a-1 to 50a-3 including the connection terminals 53-1 to 53-3 are overlapped in a plurality of upper and lower stages at the time of the final binding to form the joint connector 50. Due to the above superposition, the elastic contact piece 53a-1 of the lower connection terminal 53-1 protrudes from the lower opening 50h-2 of the middle stage into the terminal housing chamber 50b-2 of the middle stage, and the substrate of the connection terminal 53-2. The upper and lower connection terminals 53-1 and 53-2 are connected by contact with the portion 53c-2. Similarly to the above, connection terminals 53-2 and 53-3 are also connected. Further, at the time of the contact, the elastic contact piece 53a-1 and the like have a wound spring shape, and therefore smoothly bend downward to maintain an appropriate contact state.
[0036]
The joint connector 50 also responds by increasing or decreasing the number of overlapping connector housings 50a in response to a circuit change or the like. In addition, the connector housing 50a-1 and the like are also appropriately provided with a required number of terminal accommodating chambers 50b-1 and the like, and the connector housings 50a-1 and the like are appropriately combined thereafter so as to correspond to various circuit forms. The cost is reduced by reducing the number of varieties.
[0037]
Also, the joint connector 50 can be connected to the electrical connection box, the connector, the male terminal and the like from the terminal hole 50d-1 etc. of the front face 50c-1 etc., as in the first embodiment. As an example, FIGS. 9A and 9B show the connection state between the connector 58 and the joint connector 50, and the connector 58 having the male terminal 56 connected to the electric wire D is fitted with the joint connector 50. . By this fitting, the tab 56a at the distal end of the male terminal 56 is inserted between the connector housings 50a-1 to 50-3 through the terminal holes 50d-2, 3, and the elastic contact piece parts 53a-1, 2 and the board part 53c-2. 3 is pushed in between the contact portions with the three, and the three members of the male terminal 56 and the upper and lower connection terminals 53-1 to 53-3 are connected.
[0038]
Further, when the connection between the upper and lower connection terminals 53 of the joint connector 50 is cut off, the connection can be cut off by inserting an insulating plate instead of the male terminal 56. Further, when the connection is cut off in the vertical direction and connected to either the upper or lower connection terminal 53-2 or the like, as shown in FIG. 9C, an insulating plate is formed below the tab 56a 'of the upper male terminal. The insulating tabs 57a ′ are combined and inserted into the terminal holes 50d-2, the upper and lower connections are blocked by the insulating tabs 57a ′, and the tabs 56a ′ are connected to the upper board portion 53c-2 to be connected.
[0039]
As described above, when the joint connector 50 according to the second embodiment is used, it is possible to eliminate the terminal after insertion at the time of temporary binding, and it can be adapted to various circuit forms, and can easily cope with an increase in the number of connections. I am doing so. Except as described above, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, when the temporary bundling harness is assembled, the present bundling is performed when the connecting terminal is connected to at least an electric wire that has been a conventional insertion terminal and inserted into the connector housing. Sometimes, by connecting the connector housing, it is possible to connect to the electric wires of other temporary binding harnesses via the connection terminals, and therefore, it is possible to eliminate the later insertion terminals generated in the temporary binding harness. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor and time required for the subsequent insertion of the terminals, and it is possible to efficiently assemble the wire harness. Furthermore, the damage of the terminal by conveyance etc. can be eliminated at the same time, and the quality and reliability concerning the terminal of the wire harness can be improved.
[0041]
In addition, a joint connector adapted to the circuit configuration can be formed by appropriately overlapping connector housings each having a terminal housing chamber. In this way, a joint connector constituting various circuits can be formed simply by arranging a basic one-stage connector housing, so that the types of joint connectors can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced along with the reduction. Further, since the connection terminals of the stacked layers are connected by the elastic contact piece portions of the connection terminals, the reliability of the connection state can be improved.
[0042]
Furthermore, the formed joint connector can be connected to the electrical connection box in addition to the connection with the conventional male terminal and connector, and can be connected to the internal circuit of the laminated structure to connect between different layers. it can. Further, by inserting an insulating plate into the joint connector, the connection of the connection terminals located above and below can be cut off, and it is possible to cope with connection situations in various circuit forms.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a joint connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connection terminal according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector housing of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the assembly of a temporary binding harness and a wire harness of a main binding.
FIG. 5 is a connection state of connection terminals, (A) is a cross-sectional view at the time of connection with an electric connection box, and (B) is a perspective view of a main part showing connection of connection terminals arranged side by side.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a joint connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connection terminal according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connector housing according to a second embodiment.
9A and 9B are connection states of the joint connector according to the second embodiment, where FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view before connection, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the connection state, and FIG. It is a principal part expanded sectional view in the case of connecting.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional joint connector.
11A and 11B show another conventional joint connector, where FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view and FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a terminal used in the joint connector.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the assembly of a conventional temporary binding harness and a wire harness of the main binding.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 50 Joint connector
10a, 50a Connector housing
10b, 50b Terminal storage chamber
13, 53 Terminal for connection
13a, 53a Elastic contact piece
13c, 53c Board part
16 tabs
17 Insulation plate
18 Electrical junction box
56 Male terminal
58 connector
D electric wire

Claims

With juxtaposed 2-9 amino terminal accommodating chambers in the horizontal direction of the stage in the connector housing, while forming an opening in the upper and lower walls of the respective terminal accommodating chambers,
A connection terminal, which is connected to the electric wire terminals of the plurality of temporary binding harnesses and has an elastic contact piece protruding upward or downward, is inserted and locked in each terminal housing chamber of the connector housing, and the connection terminal The elastic contact piece of the terminal protrudes from the upper or lower opening,
Coalescing the connector housings to each other which are connected to each subassembly harness stacked vertically a plurality of stages when the tying each subassembly harnesses, the resilient contact piece portion protruding from the opening of the terminal receiving chamber in the vertical or A joint connector configured to connect wires by being inserted into a terminal housing chamber of an adjacent connector housing and brought into contact with a connection terminal inserted and locked in the terminal housing chamber.

In a state where the connector housings are stacked one above the other, they are fitted with another electrical connection box, and a bus bar or an insulating plate accommodated in the electrical connection box is inserted between the upper and lower connector housings, 2. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is pushed between the elastic contact portions of the connection terminal to connect the bus bar to the upper and lower connection terminals, or the upper and lower connection terminals can be disconnected by the insulating plate. .

The connection terminal includes the spring-shaped elastic contact piece projecting upward from the board portion and bent downward from the upper end at the tip of the electrical contact side, and the elastic contact piece is provided on the upper connector housing. 3. The shape according to claim 1, wherein the upper terminal receiving chamber is protruded from the opening of the lower wall into contact with the connecting terminal board portion inserted and locked in the upper terminal receiving chamber. Joint connector.

The connection terminal has a female-shaped box on the electrical contact side, and is provided with the elastic contact piece portion formed of a spring piece protruding upward on the upper plate portion of the box, and from the lower plate portion of the box to the tip side The spring protruding piece is folded back into the box to form a spring contact piece, and the elastic contact piece is protruded from the opening of the lower wall of the upper connector housing into the upper terminal receiving chamber. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein the joint connector is configured to be brought into contact with a substrate portion of a connection terminal that is inserted and locked to the connector.

A terminal hole is provided in the distal end wall of each terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing for accommodating the connecting terminal, and the connector housings are joined together in another electrical connection box in a state where they are stacked and joined together. Insert the tab of the bus bar housed in the box from the above terminal hole so that it can be connected to the connection terminal, and insert an insulating plate between the upper and lower connector housings, The joint connector according to claim 4, wherein the joint connector is configured such that the connection between the upper and lower connection terminals can be interrupted by being pushed in between.

Lock locking portions and lock claws are provided on both wall surfaces of the connector housing, and when the temporary binding harnesses are permanently bound, the connector housings are stacked vertically to lock each other with the lock locking portions and the lock claws. The joint connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the joint connector is configured to be integrated with each other.